Reflection On Secularization In The Vision Of Luhmann’s Binary Codes "Immanence/Transcendence"

Niklas Luhmann was a German sociologist who created the contemporary social systems theory.He spent thirty years developing a general sociological theory covering all spheres of social life.His sociology of religion derives from that overall effort,focusing on the question that informed all his works was how religion comes to be differentiated within society as a distinct social system and with what consequences.According to his theory,the binary codes "Immanence/Transcendence"is the key to understanding the differentiation and evolution of religion.Religion system derived from the ultimate uncertainty of operations of social systems.In order to simplify the uncertainty,a kind of particular social system differentiated from society.Along with the unceasing differentiation of religion system,it gradually formed a unique binary codes "Immanence/Transcendence" that guides observation and communication of religious system.The binary codes not only make religious system independent from society,but also provide the basis for defining religion.At the same time,religious system became one of many social functional subsystems.Thus,religion in modern society no longer has the same grip on whole society,and it must face the challenge of secularization.But it doesn’t mean that secularization will necessarily lead to decline of religion.In a secular society,religion remains rooted in difficulties of social systems.And because of the high complexity of modern society,religion can exist in a different way from organizational religion.Luhmann’s sociology of religion begin with the criticism of traditional paradigm of religious study.He focused on the methodology of the phenomenology of religion and the sociology of religion.Therefore,based on Luhmann’s criticism and combined with relevant knowledge,Chapter I described its theoretical foundation of the binary codes of Immanence/Transcendence.The author attempts to show that Luhmann exceeds the binary opposition of Sacred/Profane in the phenomenology of religion,and explain the sociological shift of Luhmann’s theory of religion.Chapter II focused on an analysis of Immanence/Transcendence.The binary codes are the form of meaning which re-enter observable/unobservable to solve problems that result from observe operations of systems.The formation of religious system has experienced two phases:reality doubling and coding.With the coding of religion,individual religious communication can be organized and became an independent social system.Then this chapter interpreted Luhmann’s unique functional perspective and analyzed religious function of transforming contingency into certainty.In Chapter III,an example is provided to illuminate the theoretical significance of the binary codes in secularization theory.To sum up,this mainly includes two aspects:a definition of religion and social differentiation of religion.Firstly,based on the binary codes,the functionalist definition of religion shows that the objective inevitability and rationality of religion.Secondly,religious system get independence in differentiation of society,but it became a subsystem of social system.And religion can therefore no longer be the predominant factor.In the highly differentiated and complex modern society,although other systems can share responsibility for complexity and risk,social systems is still unable to eliminate the ultimate uncertainty of social systems.So religion still perform its function.Finally,the author pointed out that in a secular time,diffusion and individuation are new ways of religion,and imagined a new world religion.